The Government of Quebec has put in place certain measures aimed at the resumption of activities. General information regarding gradual resumption of activities under the COVID-19-related pause is available here. As such:
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On May 13, the government announced a plan for the gradual resumption of certain outdoor sports, recreation and outdoor activities;
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Gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted from 22 May;
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As of May 25, retail businesses in the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal with direct access to the outdoors usually used by customers will be able to resume their activities; and manufacturing companies in all regions of Quebec will be allowed to resume their activities without any restriction as to the number of employees present to ensure their operations.
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As of June 1, companies located outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal offering private health care as well as body and aesthetic care will be able to resume their activities.
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Some indoor gatherings of up to 50 people in public places may be permitted as early as June 22 while indoor gatherings of 250 people could be authorized in mid-July, subject to the evolution of epidemiological data.
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Physical distancing could be reduced to 1.5 meters in some areas where there is little movement of individuals. These include, for example, classrooms, CEGEPs, universities, theatres and cinemas. However, the 2-meter physical distancing rule will remain in areas where there is increased traffic, such as common areas, waiting lines or restaurants. Children under the age of 16 will be allowed to be less than one meter apart from each other. This measure will apply to schools and summer camps.
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Starting from June 19, 2020, Quebecers will be able to enjoy the following tourism activities: zoos, gardens, visits to artisanal processors and agro-tourism farms, tourist welcome and information centers. Maritime excursions will also be able to resume their activities starting from July 1, 2020.
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The Government announced the resumption of team sports, the reopening of gym facilities, pools and beaches as of June 22, 2020. Combat sports remain prohibited until further notice although training is permitted.
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As of June 22nd, 2020 all sectors of the economy are allowed to reopen, except for festivals and major events, overnight stays at holiday camps, and combat sports.
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At present, access is allowed to all regions of Québec, with the exception of the Cree Territory of James Bay and Nunavik.
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On July 23rd, 2020 the government of Québec issued a press release announcing an easing of restrictions for indoor and outdoor public gatherings effective August 3rd, which will increase indoor and outdoor gathering limits to a maximum of 250 people, subject to compliance with health and safety protocols. Said easing of restrictions do not apply to private gatherings in homes and cottages, where the limit remains at a maximum of 10 people. Restrictions on large public gatherings such as festival and concerts will continue to apply until August 31, 2020.
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On August 5th, 2020 the government of Québec issued a press release announcing that a maximum of 250 people will now be able to gather in outdoor public places. However, physical distancing of two meters must continue to be respected. The government is also lifting restrictions on festivals and events for all regions of Quebec, but organizers will have to ensure that the capacity of the site allows a physical distance of two meters between the people gathered and must end the activity as soon as public health measures become impossible to respect. In addition, responsible authorities will be prohibited from issuing permits or authorizations required in certain cases, especially when the site capacity does not allow a distance of two meters to be maintained between participants. Fines between $1,000 and $6,000 could be imposed for non-compliance.
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On August 10th, 2020 Dr. Arruda announced that children aged 10 and over will now be required to wear masks in enclosed public places and on public transit as of August 24th, 2020
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On August 10th, 2020 the Government of Québec announced its back-to-school plan, by which the use of masks will be mandatory for students from grade 5 to Secondary 5, as well as for adult education. Masks will be mandatory in common areas, in hallways, on school buses, but not in classrooms. In addition, teachers and school staff will also be required to wear masks in common areas and hallways. The Minister of Education highlighted that it will be up to school boards to provide masks free of charge. Regarding group size, groups of 20 to 25 students will be formed and will remain in the same room for the entire school year. It will be the teachers and staff who will move from one room to another. Parents and relatives who live at the same address and who are medically vulnerable may refuse to send their child to school if proof of a medical exemption is provided to the school. Students will have access to "distance education" to take advantage of online courses and access to a teacher.
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On August 12th, the Québec Prime Minister, François Legault, announced that the government has not yet taken a position on the COVID-Alert tracing application. Update : On August 25th, Minister Clair announced that they had decided not to adopt said application, but that the government is ready to deploy such an application rapidly in the event of a surge in cases.
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On August 17th, the Québec Government unveiled the second phase of the province's plan for students' return, which will include a new funding of $20 million to hire more technicians, tutors, teachers and specialist educators for the 2020-2021 school year.
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On August 18th, the Québec government unveiled their Action Plan for a Second Wave ("Action Plan"), which includes an assessment of the difficulties encountered and the initiatives implemented during the first wave of the pandemic. It also identifies issues and priority actions to prepare the province for a possible second wave. The Action Plan includes nine areas of intervention: living conditions for the elderly, vulnerable people, the labour force, screening, prevention and management of outbreaks, clinical organization, supply, governance and communications. Several measures are already underway, and all will be implemented by September 30, 2020. For each measure, the government promises that an authorized person will be responsible and accountable.
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On August 18th the Québec government also announced that Public Health will receive $ 106 million in funding to ensure the protection of the health of the population and better support regional public health directors in their mandate. The funding will make it possible to hire more staff and acquire material resources.
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On August 20th, The Government of Québec issued a press release announcing that it will advance one billion dollars under the Quebec Infrastructure Plan to renovate schools during the 2020-2021 school year and thus contribute to the economic recovery of the province. As a result, 42 new schools will be built and 31 others expanded to promote the socialization of students and their sense of belonging. The "new generation" schools will have an architectural identity that will highlight "accents of blue" and materials from Quebec, mainly "wood and aluminum."
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On August 28th, Minister of Education Jean-François Roberge announced that Quebec would use its share of the $2 billion federal fund for the safe reopening of schools to improve school transportation and purchase more protective and disinfecting equipment.
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On September 2nd, Quebec Premier François Legault mentioned that in the event of a second wave, the government does not plan to close all businesses at once. It will take a much more targeted approach that will vary from one region to another in order to avoid ending up in situations that will create adverse effects due to confinement and closures. In fact, the government will soon announce the establishment of a system of alert levels that will classify the regions of Quebec into four color groups: red, green, yellow and blue, with red representing the highest level of risk. More details will be announced shortly.
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On September 3rd, with respect to the September 8-9 Ontario-Québec summit, the Premier stated that there would be two priority topics. The first, health transfers. The federal government's financial support for health care is non-recurring. The Quebec government finances 88% of health care spending. These are increasing by 5-6% per year while revenues are increasing by 3%. There is therefore a readjustment to be made and the Premier believes that a common front with the provinces can only be profitable. The second subject concerns economy and infrastructure. The provinces would like to have additional amounts with all the flexibility to help them accelerate certain infrastructure projects in order to stimulate the economy.
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On September 3rd, it has been revealed that well-known Montreal lawyer, Julius Grey, is currently representing parents who are litigating for online courses for all children. Questioned about this issue, the Premier replied that due to a shortage of teachers in the system, these professionals cannot offer both online and in-person courses.
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On September 8th, The Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé unveiled the government's Progressive 4-Level Regional Alert and Intervention System.
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On September 9th, in a news conference held in Mississauga at the conclusion of the first-ever Ontario-Québec Summit, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Québec Premier François Legault announced their governments agreed to collaborate on accelerating economic recovery and job creation, working towards increasing health care funding sustainability and preparedness, and advancing infrastructure renewal for the people of Ontario and Québec. Premier Legault explained that the 80-20 funding formula for health care must be amended to address the structural pressures provinces are facing in the delivery of health care. Provincial health care expenditures of $200 billion consistently outstrip provincial revenues. This structural imbalance is due to the evolution in drugs, technology and the pressures of an aging population on the health care system. Federal funding of $40 billion is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the provinces.
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On September 10th, Premier Legault said that Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety Geneviève Guilbault is working with the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) to determine the legal framework under which fines for failing to comply with the requirement to wear masks can be issued. Premier Legault admitted that he has no intention of adding law enforcement personnel to monitor compliance with public health measures. He wants to make it difficult for people to fight the fines.
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On same day, Premier Legault said the government is not contemplating a provincial-wide lockdown similar to the one it imposed in the spring. He also said that there are no plans to close bars and nightclubs in the short term as owners and patrons are complying with the public health guidelines. Karaoke bars are another matter. Premier Legault indicated that a decision regarding karaoke bars will be made shortly.
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On September, 11th, the Ministry of Health and Social Services issued a press release formally announcing a ban on karaoke in public venues and a requirement for bar owners to keep a customer register — a measure that had previously been recommended but not obligatory. Ministerial Order 2020-063 orders the ban and the requirement for bar owners to keep a customer register.
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On September 15th, Minister Dubé indicated that there would be more police interventions, more inspections, more targeted screening, a ban on the sale of food after midnight in bars and tighter traffic control in certain areas that are currently in the yellow COVID-19 alert level.
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On September 17th, in his press briefing, Health and Social Services Minister Christian Dubé clarified that all bars, restaurants and microbreweries will no longer be allowed to serve alcohol after midnight.
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On September 18th, Deputy Premier and Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced the launch of a "massive and visible" police operation called OSCAR (Opération systématisée de comportements à risque) targeting 1,000 licensed establishments that serve alcohol (bars and restaurants) over the weekend to enforce compliance with public health measures. Deputy Premier Guilbault reminded reporters that police officers have the power to impose fines ranging from $400 to $6,000 for non-compliance.
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On September 21st, Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé, National Public Health Director Dr. Horacio Arruda and the Medical Advisor of Public Health Branch, Dr. Litvak held a press briefing in which they announced that outdoor gatherings were reduced from 250 to 50 people throughout the province. In addition, bars and restaurants must stop serving alcohol at 11:00 p.m.
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On September 22nd, Minister Dubé announced that discussions will resume with opposition parties regarding the possibility of implementing a COVID tracing app adapted to Quebec. This implies the Quebec government does not intend to use the national COVID-Alert app.
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On September 28th, Premier Legault announced that the Montreal Metropolitan area, the Capitale-Nationale area (Quebec City) but excluding Portneuf and Charlevoix and the Chaudières-Appalaches region (south of Quebec City) were being elevated the "red" alert level, the maximum alert. He said, "The situation is critical. This rise in cases could lead to an increase of hospitalizations and deaths and the government must act quickly in the interest of all Quebecers."
- In response to this situation, the following new measures will take effect in the three regions on Wednesday at midnight for a 28-day period :
- Ban on home gatherings, with some exceptions such as a single caregiver allowed per visit.
- All bars, casinos and restaurants are closed (takeout only).
- Premier Legault confirmed the government is working on measures to compensate owners.
- Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres will also be closed.
- Being less than two metres apart will be prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations
- Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit
- Hair salons, hotels and other such businesses will stay open
- Schools will remain open.
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On September 29th, Premier Legault said the province would likely adopt the "COVID-19 Alert App", promoted by the federal government.
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On September 30th, Quebec Premier François Legault announced that fines will range from $1,000 to $6,000 for those not complying with the new COVID-19 measures. Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety Geneviève Guilbault and National Director of Public Health Dr. Arruda joined the Premier.
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On same day, the Government of Quebec announced that social gatherings are banned in public parks. Only people who live in the same home can gather in public parks. Movement between regions for people who live in the "red" alert zones is banned. They are in lockdown within their zone.
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Moreover, the Quebec government announced that anti-mask demonstrators will be fined $1,000 if they fail to wear a mask during demonstrations. This applies to all regions of Quebec regardless of their COVID-19 alert level.
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On October 5th, the province introduced further restrictions in red zones, including banning organized sports and leisure activities as well as tightening COVID-19 restrictions in high schools, CEGEPs and universities. Effective October 8th, organized team sports are prohibited in Quebec's red zones until Oct. 28. Fitness centers will be required to close for that time period.
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As of October 8, higher education establishments in the red zone must apply their planned emergency protocols, Minister McCann announced. In addition to limiting the physical presence of students in universities and colleges, the movement of students and staff will be limited when they are on the premises. Universities and colleges will have to hold their classes virtually, unless the presence of students is essential. These new measures will be in effect until October 28.
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On same day, the Quebec government announced a tightening of health measures in schools, which include mandatory masks for all high school students in classes and on school property. Grade 10 and 11 students will attend courses virtually one out of every two days. All extra-curricular activities and class trips will be temporarily suspended, though specialized programs like Sport Etudes and Art Etudes can be maintained as long as schools respect classroom groupings and two-meter distancing guidelines. The measures will take place for 20 days, until Oct. 28, at which point the situation will be re-evaluated.
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On October 13th, Premier Legault announced that the regions of the Montérégie, all of Centre-du-Québec and the Capitale-Nationale, including Charlevoix were elevated to the red-zone, the maximum COVID-19 alert level. Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean was elevated to the orange zone. The restrictions linked to the orange and red-alert levels should be in force by the end of the week.
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On October 20th, Premier Legault announced that the Treasury Board President, Sonia Lebel, was in negotiations with unions to reduce the workload of nurses. He emphasized that the salaries of nurses cannot be increased above the inflation level. He added that resources and services were available for those struggling with mental health problems during the pandemic. The Premier also confirmed that the shortage of personnel in testing centers or assigned to contact tracing had been addressed.
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On October 21st, While Minister Fitzgibbon said there were less bankruptcies at this time of the year than in 2019, he did emphasize that Quebec businesses were more vulnerable now than they were a year ago. He reiterated the government's commitment to compensate for the loss of private investment in the economy.
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On same day, Minister Fitzgibbon confirmed there were no plans to extend the financial support provided to businesses that closed because of the mandatory lockdown in COVID-19 red zones as the government has not made decision to extend restrictions beyond October 28.
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On October 26th, the Quebec government announced that red-zone restrictions will be extended for another 28 days, to November 23. The government however confirmed that aid for businesses impacted said the restrictions will continue.
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On same day, Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on school attendance, Premier Legault announced that 891 classes are currently closed, which means that 97% of students are still attending school. He added that high school students are more likely to transmit the virus than younger children.For this reason, Premier Legault announced that Grade 9 students in red zones will start attending in-person classes every other day starting on Monday, November 2nd, as their Grade 10 and 11 peers have done since the beginning of the fall semester.
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On November 4th, Premier Legault noted that 15 per cent of Quebec's population reported suffering from mental health problems. He reported this is a significant increase from the pre-pandemic level of 2 per cent. The Premier said that explains why the government decided to invest $100 million to improve mental health support services in the province. (in reference with August 18th, 2020 announcement)